Part 30: Mother

Prayer



Before we go back to Jack and hand him that rare Forma, we'll check out a few new things we can make. And it is but a few. The Pinlight is kind of eh, gives Magarula and Earthlight Ray deals more damage at New Moon (so Gun elemental Zan-Ei). It's AT Eridite x2, Wilder Mask x2 (Pellaidh) and Tyrant Glacier x2 (King Frost) to make, but ehh, I personally wouldn't bother.



It's better than the Brionac at least (...wait, why is Lugh's spear a gun?!) In basically every way. Crossfire is just straight Gun damage against every enemy. The Brionac is pretty boring as far as guns go! AT Eridite x2, Yoma Cloud x3 (Shiwanna) and Fallen Tome x3 (Dantalian) to make but definitely don't bother.



The Vengeance Ring gives Hitonari the Retaliate skill, basically. Counters Gun/Phys skills at a 50% rate for 150% base power. Boring. AC Bootite II x2, UMA Skin x6 (Chupacabra) and Tyrant Glacier x6. Augh, no thanks.



And lastly we have 3/4s of the elemental stones, but I'll include Bufula in here as well because it's convenient.

Agilao is AC Eridite II x1, Genma Jar x2 (Tlaloc);
Bufula is AC Eridite II x1, Brute Garment x1 (Sui-Ki);
Zionga is AC Eridite II x1, Brute Gold x1 (Kin-Ki);
Garula is AC Eridite II x1, Brute Clothes x1 (Fuu-Ki).

At least they're consistent and follow the expected pattern. Except the Agilao Stones which is the most annoying one to get because it just is. Be worth grabbing a few if we had a Magic that wasn't our randomly determined dump stat but alas.

Fear



Now then, what brings you here? Did you bring the items we asked?
Yes.
Ahhh, splendid! If you'll just allow me to confirm that...



And these are for us to keep, yes? Ahh, very kind of you.
Get these to the lab!
Sir, yes sir!
I'll take those. Hand 'em over.
You did well... You'll go far in life.
If memory serves, there was one other component to the trade, yes?



I'll take that now as well.
Transmit it to my Demonica, won't you?

> You opened a link to Jack's Demonica and uploaded the Forma Search B program.



...We are? Jack, bud, I think you mean that YOU'RE paid here.

We have what we asked for, so it's time we upheld our end.
I've ordered my men to coordinate with yours in the search for the Vanishing Point.
What was it you called the place? Sector Eridanus...?
I'll notify my men there.



Best of luck, gentlemen.



Mission "Jack's Bargain" is confirmed complete.
Jack's Squad has indicated that they will participate in our search for the Vanishing Point.
The extent of their support is unknown, but any help would be appreciated.



They want us gone so they can have the Schwarzwelt's resources all to themselves, I assume.
Rather shameless of them, at a time when the world may be ending...
I dunno how far we can trust those vatos, but...
We'll put 'em to work, never fear. Right, Tadano?

Right, so back to Eridanus we go. But as soon as we enter the Red Sprite...

Prayer



We will now begin the plane shift. All hands, take your positions.



And this plays again. It's really pointless, but whatever.



Let's get prepped for the mission.
Our goal is to gain the cooperation of Jack's agent in this sector.
I will switch all crewmen to a communications channel that will allow us to speak with them.



I'm worried that when push comes to shove...
Well, to us, this place is hell. But they seem to treat it more like a gold mine.



Huh...!? Is this real!?



We're picking up an immense energy pattern!
Look at this oscillation... it's off the scale!



The situation may have changed since we last searched for the Vanishing Point.
Please stay alert and resume the mission.
Another hurdle in the way... but if we can get past this one, we're home free.
Let's do it, Tadano!
But is it right for us to return home and leave Jack and his men here...?



Ey! No need to sleep over it, Miss Honor Student.
Forget 'em. We use them, they use us... so it goes, y'know?
Or are you gonna give them a little polite heads-up on Operation: Schwarzwelt Elimination?
The way things have been going, I'm sure they knew before we did!



Could you try not picking a fight over everything I say, Jimenez?
But you've made yourself clear. Let's just hurry and get out of here.
Strike team, proceed to the floor where we found the abnormal energy pattern last time.



I look forward to the successful completion of your mission.

Despite it seeming like it should, the Red Sprite crew's dialogue does NOT update here! I know, I'm amazed too.

A Land Controlling Roads



So, it's back to the Top floor of Eridanus we go!

Damn... I don't know what I'd do with all that cash if i had it!

Fear



Well, this is different. Very different. It's pretty obvious who this is, but we'll worry about that later.

So you have joined forces with those of the evil planet, Hitonari... But you will not escape from this land by that path.



To serve you justice... I will be watching over the end of the virus known as mankind...

> The call ended.

Malevolence and Benevolence



And then we get accosted AGAIN as soon as we step through the door to the open central ring.



This place absolutely reeks of danger. You guys are nuts.
Me... I just want to strike oil, or whatever they got here instead of oil, and get rich.
Here. You can use this to find doors you couldn't see before.
It's got the seal of approval from the boys in our lab.





I dunno if you found your way out or not, but either way, have fun.
Oh yeah... they asked me to pick up some materials while I was out here.
I gotta get going. Later, Hitonari.

> Ryan left.



So, Tadano, looks like you can get to the Vanishing Point.
I'm on my way there now. Just in case it's dangerous, be careful.
And smile, man! We're almost home!

A Land Controlling Roads



Hopefully that door IS a Search C door otherwise, we're still very trapped. What do you think, Jack's Squad Member?

Keep getting in my way and I'll pull this trigger, I swear to God.

Real friendly bunch, these guys...



Fortunately, it IS a type C door so we can head on in and hopefully meet Ouroboros, kick his ass and win the game.

I mean, sure, we could go back and open every other type C door but eh. That's what New Game+ is for.

In The Master's Name



There is a price for distubring my heart... You must pay it.



Prisoners of matter cannot reach it!
After all, the empty infinity cannot be undone...
Humans, of limited life and limited power...
Do you believe you can rule over we demons?
Can you overcome our endless power?
Our power is also endless.
That changes nothing... humans see the infinite dream from their cradles...
Awaken from that dream and behind your frail, children's bodies.



I shall return you to the particles that flow through empty space.
Break apart, you sinful clumps of matter!

Snake Ouroboros

Vehement Rage



Alright, final boss let's go! Ouroboros is... notably not a Tyrant. That's interesting but expected. That they're just a normal Snake is weirder but I suppose not unheard of.



Resistance-wise, Ouroboros resists Phys and Gun, is weak to Fire and Drains 125% Elec damage. Unlike Asura before, no reflects though.



Attack-wise, it's a big ol' list. Mahama is basically a gimme, especially with a competently put together team.



Wild Lightning is a pretty powerful Elec attack. It just hits everyone, but it doesn't need to do much else.



As per usual, at +/- 4 on stats, she'll Dekunda or Dekaja as appropriate. 3 is totally fine though. You'd think the final boss would just stick these into normal rotation, but considering they're ultimately wasted turns...



You know what's not a wasted turn though? This Almighty dick punch. Not so much for its damage, although if Ouroboros WASN'T debuffed a bunch that would be impressive as well. It just rolls to try and inflict any ailment at random on everyone. It can inflict any and every ailment, except Rage unfortunately. If it Petrifies Hitonari, that's an instant game over. Anything else can be dealt with, but that's just a "you lose, try again" and it's really dumb.



Oh and of course they regen. It's 7% of their HP at the end of every round (they have 2300 for reference). This is kind of cool, since it sort of changes the way you have to focus on this fight. You can't just turtle through it and plink away until you win.



So, there's Ouroboros. A sort of different fight with a wide array of things they can do, and a gimmick that isn't "I beat myself half of the time." Disaster Cycle isn't the most fun thing to have to contend with, but it's ultimately not that big a deal and it being an instant lose isn't overly common or likely anyway.

End

In The Master's Name



The beginning... and end... are one...
As long as you fail to understand that, human...

> Ouroboros disappeared...



The reinforcements were a moment too late, but all's well in the end, yes?
Still... that Ouroboros... She said something odd at the end there.
Congratulations, Crewman Hitonari.
The Red Sprite can now land at the Vanishing Point.



So, how do we escape from here?
......!? Arthur! Something's wrong!



What's happening!?



That... is the limit of humans.

Careful, Tadano! Something's near your position!



Hey Gore. Nice of you to turn up this time, after just ranting at us over the radio before we kicked Ouroboros' ass.

In the end... they are trapped souls... of finite matter...
They have no means of resisting Ouroboros Maia.
They may as well try to slice the air or pummel the seas.
...The Commander!? Commander Gore!?
How is he here!?



To punish you... To punish humanity...



...Well, I mean I guess it makes sense that Ouroboros has a second form. She IS the final boss and all. Weird that it's just a bigger/zoomed in version of the first one though.

Now, human... you have brought upon yourself the torment of infinity...
I will resurrect as many times as it takes... and fight you...
There is only one escape:



> Ouroboros shot a powerful wave of energy!



Well, this fixed damage can't kill you at least. It's not that big a deal as a result.

Ouroboros can come back from the friggin' dead!?
Great! Now what, Tadano!? Do we fight her again!?
No! You just finished the first battle, you'll wear yourself out!



Just run, Hitonari! Hurry!



This is an order. Fall back immediately.
I can currently calculate no effective means of subjugating Ouroboros.
Fall back immediately.
The exit was right in front of our faces... Goddammit!
Let's get outta here, Tadano!

> You fled from Ouroboros...

Malevolence and Benevolence



Hey, Jack. Remember when you said like 25 minutes ago you didn't want us to radio you because it was potentially unsafe? Because I do. I don't forget these things, Jack.

You fought masterfully, but it seems your opponent had the upper hand. My sympathies.
I expected that the monsters of this world would make our egress difficult. We must be on guard.
Now then, a word of warning about Ouroboros.



Perhaps you should try using the Main App we presented you with.
Very sorry that I can't be of more assistance, but... well, it seems worth a try, no?



There is in fact energy flowing into the Vanishing Point from various points around Eridanus.
It's most likely this very energy that's resurrecting Ouroboros.
So... as long as those things keep feeding her energy, she's unstoppable...
Calling all crew.
This energy beam information will likely be useful in overcoming our present situation.
Find the sources of this energy and remove them.



Doesn't he have any idea how huge this place is!?
Tch... I'm sure he knows, and just as sure he doesn't care. Let's split up, it'll go faster.
I'll see you later, Tadano. We're done here.
Hitonari, Jimenez, wait!



I'll send you the data if you'd like to investigate them.
Better than stumbling around blindly, yes?



The energy sources appear to be spread out around this floor.
Okay. I'll go knock out a few of 'em.
See ya, Tadano.